I did it! It was scary and my heart rate when through the roof (as usual) but I bloody well did it.

I needed a box to stand on as well as coaching from the owners but I got my butt on the horse and it didn’t collapse under me.

Don’t look down!

The horse was led up the first bit, I walked it alone for the next 50 mtrs, then all of a sudden I’m learning how to trot! The trails were lovely, through bushland, up and down quite steep hills and through little creeks. It was a great opportunity to learn how to help the horse (and myself) by using my body during trotting and steep hills.

The guide took my phone to get some photos and complained about damn phones as cameras. Then accidentally took this photo!

My friend Michelle leading the way. Her horse was named Jill and it got a bit confusing, especially when Nev the Guide kept saying Jill was a good mare and I would say thanks!

Sitting a bit more comfortably in the saddle towards the end

Nev the Guide did mention that every time he turned around to check on me I was smiling (only occasionally was it actually a grimace)

What I thought would be a one-off might actually become a regular thing. I did actually enjoy it and I think part of that was the learning and concentration required the whole time. I like to be challenged and once I got over the fear of falling off (though my heart did skip a beat occasionally) I could fall into rhythm with the horse and enjoy it.

I sent a photo to my Mum when we’d finished and she wrote back saying “Well done. Is it dinner off the mantelpiece?”. I thought her autocorrect had changed her message but she explained it was an old expression for having a sore bum from horse riding and not being able to sit. Bum not too sore at the moment but I just stood up and it could be breakfast off the mantelpiece!

OOOH! I forgot. I posted the first photo on FB and got lots of comments on how good I was looking so thought I’d pull the old comparison. Here tis: